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Home » Travel » 11 Things to Do in Missoula, Montana

11 Things to Do in Missoula, Montana

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A travel guide for beautiful Missoula, Montana. Our favorite restaurants, places to stay and things to do in Glacier Country Western Montana.

Things to Do in Missoula, Montana. Where to Eat, Places to Stay and Things to DoLast month, Pat and I had the chance to spend five days exploring Glacier Country and the Bitterroot Valley in Western Montana. The first stop on our adventure was Missoula, Montana. Missoula is a charming town that is a starting point for many of the outdoors activities that make Montana so famous. It’s also a lively college town. What I didn’t realize though, was how great the food scene is in Missoula! There are tons of restaurants and places to eat, many that rival my favorite San Francisco restaurants. Add to that bed and breakfasts, cute boutiques and great breweries and you might never leave!

Here are some of my Missoula favorites to check out when you’re in town.
Five On Black Brazilian Food Best Cheap Dinners Missoula MontanaFive On Black Brazilian Food Best Cheap Dinners Missoula Montana

Best Cheap Eats in Missoula

If you’re looking for an amazing cheap meal ($5-9) in Missoula, Five on Black is the place. It’s order-at-the-counter Brazilian food is insanely delicious, healthy and satisfying. You have to try the feijoada, which is the national stew of Brazil.

Five on Black
325 N Higgins Avenue
Missoula, MT 59802
http://fiveonblack.com
Missoula Montana Antique Mall - Things to Do in Missoula MontanaMissoula Montana Antique Mall - Things to Do in Missoula Montana

Best Place to Find Treasure in Missoula

Montana Antique Mall has four floors of beautifully-curated antiques, aka heaven for this girl who is always searching for her next unique food photography prop. You can tell they are strict about the goods they allow sold and how they are displayed. There’s truly something for everyone, from furniture to clothing. The prices aren’t too bad overall, but the occasional hidden gem made the hours spent browsing a true treasure hunt.

Montana Antique Mall
331 Railroad St West
Missoula, Montana 59802
http://montanaantiquemall.com
Missoula Montana Best Restaurants Reviews and Recommendations - Scotty's Table Missoula Montana Best Restaurants Reviews and Recommendations - Scotty's Table
Missoula Montana Best Restaurants Reviews and Recommendations - Scotty's Table

Best Fine Dining in Missoula

Dinner at Scotty’s Table may have been our favorite meal during our Montana trip. Each dish was beautifully-curated, from appetizers to dessert. Even though the true stars of the menu are their meat dishes, their vegetarian dishes also amazing. It’s so rare to find a place that does meat so well, but doesn’t just treat vegetables as an afterthough. You must try the grass fed beef, cioppino (shellfish stew), roasted beets with lemon crème fraiche, and the arancini with marinated mushrooms.

Scotty’s Table Restaurant
131 South Higgins Avenue U3
Missoula, Montana 59802
http://scottystable.net
Sweet Scoops Best Ice Cream Shop Missoula Montana

Best Ice Cream in Missoula

One of the biggest controversies in Missoula is the Sweet Peaks Ice Cream versus Big Dipper Ice Cream debate. Sweet Peaks is newer to the Missoula scene and I think it’s slowly winning people over. We were steered there by our hosts at Gibson mansion and it definitely didn’t disappoint. They have fewer flavors than Big Dipper, but their fresh ingredients and interesting flavors make their ice cream outstanding.

Sweet Peaks Ice Cream
420 N Higgins Avenue
Missoula, MT 59802
http://sweetpeaksicecream.com
Butterfly Herbs Tea Store and Shop Missoula MontanaButterfly Herbs Tea Store and Shop Missoula Montana

Best Tea Shop in Missoula

At first glance, Butterfly Herbs is a fairly standard hippie-ish boutique with a few gifts and nice-smelling bath goods. Once you step inside though, the real draw of Butterfly Herbs is the jars and jars of amazing loose leaf teas at exceptional prices. After visiting, I started to recognize their teas everywhere, from Bed & Breakfasts to restaurants. Their Evening in Missoula tea is this amazing spearmint blend that I just can’t get enough of. I ended up bring almost three pounds of tea home and I’ll probably be ordering more Evening in Missoula soon.

Butterfly Herbs
232 N Higgins Avenue
Missoula, Montana 59802
http://butterflyherbs.com
Good Food Store Salad Bar Missoula MontanaGood Food Store Salad Bar Missoula Montana

Best Place for a Healthy Lunch in Missoula

The Good Store is an amazing natural and organic grocery store. It’s sort of like Whole Foods, but with a small town feel. The reason it made my Missoula travel list is their amazing hot and cold salad bar that is perfect for a healthy lunch. Several people recommended we check it out, and it didn’t disappoint. Make sure you try their ginger miso dressing and the pumpkin chocolate chip cookies! They have a lot of great vegetarian and vegan options too.

Good Food Store
1600 S 3rd Street W
Missoula, MT 59801
http://goodfoodstore.com
Tamarach Brewing COmpany - Best Brewery Brewpup Missoula Montana Tamarach Brewing COmpany - Best Brewery Brewpup Missoula Montana

Best Brewery Food in Missoula

Western Montana is full of micro breweries, but not all of them have a full menu of great food like Tamarack Brewery. Think everything from pizza to a mediterranean platter! The brewery itself is located in Lakeside, Montana, but they have a full brewpub and restaurant in downtown Missoula. They also have a patio with a great view of the city. Try the Yardsale Amber and Switchback Stout beers.

Tamarack Brewing Company
231 W Front Street
Missoula, Montana 59802
http://tamarackbrewing.com
Noteworthy Paper and Gift Store in Missoula MontanaNoteworthy Paper and Gift Store in Missoula Montana

Best Place to Find the Perfect Gift in Missoula

Noteworthy Paper & Press is an adorable boutique chock full of paper products and gifts. It’s the perfect place to pick up a Montana souvenir or a thoughtful gift. They also do their own letterpress line and teach classes as well.

Noteworthy Paper & Press
101 S Higgins Avenue
Missoula, Montana 59802
http://noteworthystore.com
Brennan's Wave Missoula Montana - Man Made Fake Wave Surf Spot

Best Water Sports in Missoula

Who knew land-locked Missoula, Montana has a hot surf spot? On hot days in Missoula, the locals queue up to surf and kayak Brennan’s wave, right in the middle of downtown. The manmade wave is the result of a community project to transform a dangerous water diversion weir into a safe place for people to practice their favorite water sports. Check out this video to see what the wave is like when the water level is higher.

Surf Brennan’s Wave
Missoula Whitewater Park
Downtown Missoula
Missoula, Montana 59802
https://www.facebook.com/BrennansWave/
Best Places to Stay and Hotels in Missoula Montana - Gibson Mansion Bed & BreakfastBest Places to Stay and Hotels in Missoula Montana - Gibson Mansion Bed & Breakfast

Most Romantic Place to Stay in Missoula

If you’re looking for a truly beautiful, relaxing place to stay in Missoula, Gibson Mansion should be at the top of your list! This thoughtfully-restored bed & breakfast features gorgeous decor, beautiful gardens, and warm hospitality. And the food! Breakfast is truly an art form, so much so that I’ll be sharing their famous scone recipe in a separate post soon!

Gibson Mansion
823 39th Street
Missoula, Montana 59803
http://gibsonmansion.com
Plonk Wine Bar Missoula Montana Cocktails and AppetizersPlonk Wine Bar Missoula Montana Cocktails and Appetizers

Best Place to Get a Cocktail in Missoula

Before we left for our trip, I asked for Montana recommendations on social media. Plonk Wine Bar came up over and over again as a favorite of locals and visitors alike! We stopped in for a drink on a warm late summer night and were able to snag a table on Plonk’s beautiful rooftop patio. They have a great wine list as well as some fun specialty cocktails. Stay tuned, as I’ll be sharing my favorite Plonk cocktail on the blog very soon!

Plonk Wine Bar
322 N Higgins Avenue
Missoula, Montana 59802
http://plonkwine.com

And that’s that! Did I miss anything? Do you have and recommendations I should add to the list?

Thanks for reading A Side of Sweet! For more Sweet in your life, you can find me on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, YouTube, Bloglovin’, Snapchat (@asideofsweet), or Twitter. You can also subscribe to receive a weekly email with new posts and random musings from me.

P.S. – Traveling to Montana? Check out these guides for more travel inspiration!

What to Do in Glacier National Park Montana:

What to Do Glacier National Park Montana Travel Guide + Best Hikes

Guide to Whitefish, Montana:

Restaurant & Travel Guide for Whitefish Montana

Guide to the Bitterroot Valley & Hamilton, Montana:

Things to Do in Bitterroot Valley & Hamilton Montana

Snowbear Chalets in Whitefish, Montana:

Plonk's Cherry Sour Old Fashioned
10 Minute Light & Moist Scones + Gibson Mansion

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October 3, 2016  â€¢  Filed Under: Missoula, Montana, Travel 15 Comments

Comments

  1. Miranda | Miranda's Notebook says

    October 3, 2016 at 5:52 am

    I’m always in awe of your beautiful photography Kelly! All those eats & places look fabulous!! Miranda xxx http://mirandasnotebook.com/

    Reply
    • Kelly Egan - A Side of Sweet says

      October 3, 2016 at 6:46 am

      Thanks so much Miranda! Hopefully I am making a good case for you to come to the US! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Des @ Life's Ambrosia says

    October 4, 2016 at 3:00 pm

    I haven’t been to Missoula since I was a little girl. I think it’s time to head back!

    Reply
    • Kelly Egan - A Side of Sweet says

      October 7, 2016 at 1:11 pm

      It definitely is! Such a fun little city.

      Reply
  3. Michelle | A Latte Food says

    October 4, 2016 at 3:40 pm

    I would go crazy in that antique mall! Sounds like an amazing trip!

    Reply
    • Kelly Egan - A Side of Sweet says

      October 7, 2016 at 1:12 pm

      Right!? Four flours of heaven!

      Reply
  4. katerina @ diethood.com says

    October 5, 2016 at 3:02 am

    Looks and sounds like one amaaazing adventure!! LOVE!

    Reply
    • Kelly Egan - A Side of Sweet says

      October 7, 2016 at 1:12 pm

      It was! It was the perfect long weekend.

      Reply
  5. Jenny | Honey and Birch says

    October 5, 2016 at 12:40 pm

    My husband and I were just looking for a place to take a road trip – this might be it!

    Reply
    • Kelly Egan - A Side of Sweet says

      October 7, 2016 at 1:13 pm

      You should definitely check it out!

      Reply
  6. Melanie | Melanie Makes says

    October 5, 2016 at 1:05 pm

    So many great recommendations!

    Reply
  7. Sabrina says

    October 6, 2016 at 11:17 am

    What a fun trip with great places to visit! That ice cream stop has my name all over it!

    Reply
  8. Lauren @ Hall Nesting says

    October 6, 2016 at 12:40 pm

    That looked like a fun place to visit! I like the herbal tea shop!

    Reply
    • Kelly Egan - A Side of Sweet says

      October 7, 2016 at 1:13 pm

      It’s such a gem and their teas are such a great deal!

      Reply
  9. Simar Kohli Das says

    September 5, 2018 at 5:53 pm

    Wow it’s going to be my first time in Montana this month … in fact my first time to USA . Thrilled to visit Missoula. Thank you so much for the reviews and the delicious pictures. Will totally hit the ice cream bars

    Reply

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Welcome!

San Francisco Food, Fashion, Travel Blogger

Hi! I’m Kelly. I live in San Francisco with my husband, Pat, and our puppy, Maddie. Here you’ll find recipes, DIYs, style, travel & a glimpse into our adventures. To learn a little more about me, Click Here.

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